Circe Brintesia circe

A sorceress among butterflies

Among the sun-drenched meadows, on the edge of deciduous woods, a large, discreet butterfly moves with a majestic but calm flight: it is the Circe, one of the most elegant butterflies of the Apennine summer.

Its name recalls the sorceress of Greek mythology... and indeed there is a touch of magic about it: when it lands on a tree trunk, its closed wings make it indistinguishable from the bark... An effective camouflage to escape lizards, birds and other predators.
The females lay their eggs on the leaves of wild grasses, which will provide nourishment for the larvae. 
During the winter, the caterpillars find shelter among the dry leaves and in spring they resume their metamorphosis, turning into chrysalises. From here, in summer, young adults will emerge.
Its presence indicates environments rich in wildflowers, where butterflies and other pollinating insects find food and shelter. 
If you encounter it during a walk, stop and look at it: every nuance tells the story of the balance between beauty and adaptation to the environment.

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